Search

Sponsors

Weather Forecast

Login Form

BSA On Facebook

Click Here

Blackwater Sub Aqua Club was founded in 1981 and is based in the town of Fermoy in North Cork The club is affiliated to the Irish Underwater Council (Comhairle Fó-Thoinn or CFT) which was founded in 1963 and is the co-ordinating body for underwater diving clubs in Ireland. CFT is the representative body for Ireland in the World Underwater Federation (Confédération Mondiale des Activitiés Subaquatiques or CMAS). This is the world federation of national diving organisations and operates in some 80 countries on all continents.

The qualifications you receive as a member of CFT are recognised the world over

We have 40 members varying in qualification’s from Diver * to that of Instructor grade Moniteur ***

An Integral part of our club is the Blackwater Search and Recovery unit. Consisting of 26 search divers and support personnel. Further information can be obtained under Search and Rescue Section.

Email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By January of this year, most of the funding was in place, selling one of our existing RIB’s was really important in moving ahead with this project; however we still faced a shortfall, and by now most of our traditional fund raising activities had taken place. We had no choice but to commit to the placing of the order of a new RIB, put faith in the committee and the fund raising officer to secure the remaining funds.

Our Fund Raising Officer, Matt Culloty placed an application to The ESB , Energy for Generations fund to support the purchase of the search and rescue boat.The Energy for Generations fund supports the work of not-for-profit organisations, charities and community and voluntary organisations whose work falls under the following areas: educational access and support; suicide prevention; and care of the homeless.

Each year, ESB awards funding to approximately 150 projects across Ireland. They call it Corporate Social Responsibility; essentially they are funding projects which should be funded by our Taxes. ESB has donated over €10m to charities across Ireland in past ten years – and €1m in Cork city and County. Thankfully this year, Blackwater Search and Recovery was awarded €4000 to complete the purchase of the dive Boat. On Friday last, at Wilton, a presentation was made by ESB deputy chief executive Jerry O Sullivan, in the presence of Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Chris O’Leary to Noel Hayes (Search and Rescue Southern Regional SAR Coordinator) and Matt Culloty (Fund Raising Officer). We would like to thank Jerry, his team in the ESB, in particular Anne Cooney, Group CSR Coordinator for this welcome donation. We expect delivery of the RIB within the next 2 weeks.

On Sunday, two of our trainees, Alex and Catrina took part in their final preparations for their club diver test, which will take place next weekend. Best of luck to both , and thanks to the instructors Maurice Carroll and Noel Hayes for the work put in, getting candidates to this level of proficiency.

Attended by almost a thousand people, the unveiling of two anchors from the 1916 gun-running ship, the Aud took place in the Brandon Conference Centre in Tralee on Friday, 12th February last. The Aud is considered to be one of the most significant events in 1916 outside Dublin. At the event hosted by the Tralee Bay Heritage Association, the German Ambassador Matthias Hopfner and Minister Jimmy Deenihan performed the unveiling.

The excitement was almost palpable as the two anchors were unveiled from under a black cloth, after being recovered from the seabed in 2012. Special guests included divers from the Blackwater Sub Aqua Club Tim Carey, Gearoid O Looney and Peter Mullen who were involved in the archaeological recovery of the anchors. A slideshow provided detailed images and information of the recovery off Cork Harbour by the Blackwater SAC.

Annual excursion to Bere Island falls foul of the weather.

Last weekend saw a group of ten divers travel to Bere Island for a weekend of training. With Bere Island being quite sheltered, unfortunately for everyone, the weather was atrocious for the entire weekend, resulting in only four dives being logged under extreme challenging conditions. Despite the weather, a great weekend of training was had by all. Many thanks to Graham and Elden.

Search and Recovery Course

Ten divers from clubs around the regions including Lough Derg , UCC, Daunt and Cork Sub Aqua successfully completed their Search & Recovery course this weekend. With a number of different underwater search patterned completed at Knockananig reservoir. Having completed a full lecture program the previous day culminating in a theory written exam. The course was organised by club instructor and Search & Recovery coordinator Noel Hayes. All diving was carried out under the watchful and experienced eye of our Search & Recovery Dive Officer Dave Carey ably assisted by Club instructors Finbarr Murphy & Mossy Carroll. All our Search & Recovery equipment was well presented in full working order by Olan O Farrell, Ken Barry and Eugene Whelan. A very successful weekend course was had by one and all. Thanks to all involved.

Three months of training consisting of weekly lectures and pool skills have now being completed by this years contingent of trainee divers from Blackwater Sub Aqua club. The commitment required by the trainees, instructors and club members is not to be underestimated, and the work put in by all concerned will now pay off, with open water dives taking place from last week. The first of the open water dives took place at Knockananig reservoir. Even the most hardened diver may dive the reservoir with trepadation. Often dark and cold, if the divers can cope with these conditions, they should handle most sea conditions comfortably. The divers were treated to 2 meters visibility and all performed really well, showing excellent buoyancy and finning skills. Such was the enthusiasm of the trainees, on Sunday most got back in the water to dive the Blackwater for the first time. Once again due to the recent rain fall, conditions we not the best, with limited visibility and fast moving river. Well done to all our trainees, hopefully with improving conditions, the next dive will be at sea.

The search and recovery unit commenced a training program last week, for those members interested on the use of the side scan sonar equipment. Two of this year’s trainee divers are amongst this group, thanks to Ken Barry, Eugene Whelan and Olan O Farrell for their assistance on this. Blackwater Instructors Matt Culloty and Richard Vaughan held a series of lectures on Saturday, for divers from UCC SAC and Cork SAC intending on completing the Leading Diver exams this year. Best of luck to all those who will undergo this difficult exam. For further information www.blackwatersubaquaclub.ie or visit our facebook page.